SPORTS

Oscar De La Hoya boxing at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games

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BOXING

Boxing has been contested at the Summer Olympic Games since St. Louis 1904, with the exception of the 1912 Stockholm Games. Women’s boxing wasn’t introduced until the 2012 London Games. Competitions are organized by weight classes, which have changed over the years. Currently, there are 8 weight classes for men and 5 for women.

Boxing champions from the United States include Eddie Eagan, who won a gold medal at the 1920 Games and George Foreman, who won the heavyweight gold medal at the 1968 Mexico City Games. Ray Leonard, Michael Spinks and Leon Spinks won gold medals at the 1976 Games and later became world boxing champions.

Boxing Hall of Famers

Eddie Eagan

Twelve years after winning a boxing gold medal, bobsledding rookie Eddie Eagan added another gold medal in his first and only bobsled race.

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Floyd Patterson

It was during his time at reform school that Floyd Patterson became interested in boxing. At 17 years old, he won an Olympic gold medal and went on to a prolific professional career.

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George Foreman

A high school dropout, George Foreman entered the Job Corps program, a decision that led him to a successful boxing career and a gold medal at the Mexico City 1968 Olympic Games.

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Joe Frazier

Joe Frazier traveled to the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games as an alternate and took advantage when an injury gave him a spot in the heavyweight tournament, winning a gold medal.

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Muhammad Ali

He won a gold medal at the Rome 1960 Olympic Games while known as Muhammad Ali, but perhaps his most iconic moment came when lighting the Olympic Flame at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.

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Oscar De La Hoya boxing at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games

Oscar De La Hoya

Oscar De La Hoya first donned boxing gloves at age 4. A decorated amateur, “The Golden Boy” won gold at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games and shined as a pro before becoming a boxing promoter.

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Sugar Ray Leonard

One of the best boxers of all-time, Sugar Ray Leonard beat each of six opponents by 5-0 scores en route to winning the light welterweight gold medal at the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games.

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Notable moments

EXPLORE HALL OF FAME ATHLETES BY SPORT

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